News Shooting Stars Beat Peter Symonds! 05.12.2025

In round two of the Association of College’s Cup, Collyer’s Netball 1’s visited Peter Symonds College in Winchester, widely regarded as one of the country’s top college teams. After a rollercoaster first quarter, the Collyer’s team led by two or three goals for long passages of play. Peter Symonds commendably fought back to get on terms at the end of regular time, before Collyer’s came out on top to hold their nerve with a golden goal to secure a memorable 41-42 victory.

Although Collyer’s have endured 14 years of hurt at the hands of Peter Symonds College, including a reverse earlier in the season, this time the team triumphed, weathering intense early pressure with determination and skill to dominate for the majority of the tie.

Co-captain Martha Bonner said: “For Collyer’s to have beaten Peter Symonds College for the first time in 14 years is a fantastic achievement for the group. It was a difficult match against a very strong team. Our team played exceptionally well”.

At the end of the game Peter Symonds awarded their players of the match to Collyer’s Martha Bonner and Evie Mortimer.

John Burroughs, Head of the Collyer’s Sports Academy said: “Colossal congratulations to the team. Peter Symonds College were widely tipped to win this competition, so this is a huge victory that will send shock-waves across the sport. They are a credit to our Sports Academy, which is now attracting top athletes from across the region.”

While the Netball 1s were battling it out in Hampshire, the talented Netball 2s side defeated Reigate College, in the Surrey League and Cup, 42-26.

Collyer’s coach Michelle Peckham was delighted: “Collyer’s netball goes from strength to strength. I could not be prouder of the girls!”

Collyer’s Deputy Principal Steve Martell added: “With a decent run of games these amazing teams have been able to gather momentum. And form. We are enjoying a golden generation of quality players and Michelle Peckham remains, in my opinion, the best college netball coach out there.”